Let’s start with Cat’s dress.  My Mom called me to give me a head’s up on how bad her dress was.  It was a little crazy to be sure.  The dress was a mini nude color slip with red (looked like) tulle draped around her like a present.  I’ll give her dress a C-.  She can pretty much wear anything, even if it is strange and unusual, and make it look good.  This time it wasn’t great, but it also wasn’t all that bad.

And then WHAT THE HELL!!!  Billy Bell is out with a knee injury.  That’s three down with injuries.  Seriously, this show needs to improve its safety record.  Not good. Husband has a theory about the rash of injuries and he blames the All-Stars.  All-Stars are trained to a higher level.  They are professionals now.  They’ve been through this process already and are presumably more rested. The contestants meanwhile, are under so much pressure; they must rise to the level of the All-Star during both practice and performance, and stretch way beyond their bodies’ capability on each piece, thus resulting in injury.  While last year, partners were at the same level of exhaustion and pressure, but they worked together to get through it.  That is an interesting theory.  I’ll pose it over drinks with Nigel next time we have dinner. [insert chuckle here]

Also good to note, powerhouse director/choreographer Kenny Ortega has joined the judges’ panel tonight.  What a great addition.  He gave a great acknowledgement to the show and the difference it’s making in dance.  That was really cool.

But let’s get on with the show; the first up last night was Lauren who was paired with Twitch on a NappyTabs hip hop cowboy show down routine.  How apropos.  She is the last woman standing.  It was hot and she went for it.  I hope to see Lauren hold on (and injury free) to the Top 3.  I loved the concept and the delivery was spot on.

This week José is paired with All-Star Allison on a Sonya Tayeh contemporary piece.  Allison confessed her crush on José, which was weird.  Also weird was the lack of dancing.  It was very conceptual — a couple on the edge of their relationship — and literally they danced on the edge of the stage.  I don’t understand why the judges are so pro-José.  Yes, it was a good performance.  However the key word in the judges’ critiques was “pedestrian.”  People, he doesn’t have the training or the skills.  It’s time for him to go.

This next one was a knee slapper.  On the pre-performance tape, I literally cracked up when Robert, who was paired with All-Star Lauren this week, walked in on Tyce Diorio while practicing this seductive jazz piece and said, “Oh hey.” Then in the rehearsals he uttered, “Oh doggie,” when it was getting a little steamy.  Then tell me about it Lauren…she said, “How could it be hard doing a seductive piece with Robert?  Yeah, I think I could fall in love with Robert.”  Yeah, me too.  But he’s 20! Wow. I can’t say out loud that I have ever been attracted to a 20 year old, but Robert really does it for me.  It’s what every perv says, “but he doesn’t look that young!”  Not only were the before clips great, but the song selection was from My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult.  OMG I used to love that band fiercely.  That took me back.  Yes, the performance was good.  However, I’m still left with the questions of Robert: Is he or isn’t he? (gay)  Because there’s just a little tiny something missing in the connection with his female partners.  Who couldn’t be bi with Lauren.  I’m just saying.

Kent this week has All-Star Kathryn (my favorite girl All-Star) as a partner to a dance choreographed by Sonya Tayeh.  It was probably my favorite dance of the night.  I loved the cute striped tops.  Where could I get one?  Ken said it reminded him of a funky “Gidget-Moon Doggy” kind of piece.  I so agree.  Cute, funky and just damn good dance.  There was a spot-on critique from Maya about how the animation in Kent’s face takes the choreography to a juvenile level.  Good point.  It’s that darn “aw shucks” quality that he can’t (yet) escape.  Outside of that, I loved it.

The NappyTabs piece with AdéChiké and Comfort was awesome.  It was a powerful and brilliant dance to “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys.  Adé and Comfort really threw themselves fully – emotionally and physically – into this performance.  Husband and I cracked up that the judges said if Wesley Snipes (who is so last decade!) or Mary J could dance they would perform this piece.  It was dramatic and emotional to be sure. I think I love Comfort more this season than the one that she was on.  That’s probably because she’s only doing her style and damn the girl is good.  Nigel said that the dance had the same emotion and beauty as the song and hoped that Alicia could see the performance.  That’s cool.  AdéChiké is holding on.  He’s fighting to stay in.

I seriously had a moment on the Robert-Lauren-Dmitry Chaplin together in the Samba practice clip.  Two guys and a girl and the samba = hawtness.  However, the dance theme was a beach party.  Meh.  Lauren wore a coconut hammock top, which was not so hot.  However the dance was really good.  Did I mention that the samba was hot?  And that Robert is hot?  Oh ok, just making sure.

AdéChiké and José were paired for an all-male Paso Doble.  The story line was two matadors going mano y mano.  The shirts were off and the capes were twirling. José looked really stiff.  Cool idea, but José blew it for me.  Again, time for him to go.  The judges said “valiant effort” and I agree.  There was no attack.

Kent was paired with Twitch on a step number.  I’m just gonna say it:  White people shouldn’t step. It doesn’t look right.  The judges liked it and I don’t get it.  At all.  I’m not buying it.  I’m also not buying that Kent’s the one to beat.  Let’s not even talk about stepping being in the Olympics, Ortega.  No.  There were so many things wrong with that performance and the subsequent commentary I poured myself another drink.

And on a final note about Wednesday night performances, I don’t think the solos add anything.  They are just not necessary.  They are only 30 seconds and we’re watching the contestants at least twice anyways.  By now, we know how great they are in their own style.  This will be my second suggestion for Nigel over dinner (as if).  However, I loved the parents’ commentary before everyone’s solos.  The moms are just so cute and loving.  Awww….

My favorite performance of the night was the Lauren & Kent “funky Gidget” Sonya piece.  My guess for the Bottom 3 tonight are Billy (by default, but he better be back!), José and AdéChiké.  I think that José needs to go and AdéChiké is just not as hot great as Robert and Kent.  Cheers friends!

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